On Mother's Day 2000, during the the month after that of my mother's birthday and the 4th anniversary of her death, I am giving this award for the first time. First I would like to present it to Dorothy Womack, whose Web sites are in memory of her own mother. Many of you have enjoyed Dorothy's poetry at her Reflections at Marsha's Alzheimer's Outreach, at A Window on My Mind, and here in Alzheimer's Contributed Poetry at this site. You can also read the book of her experience as her mother's caregiver through her book Passage Into Paradise and her poetry at Crowning Touches and Alzheimer Angels-- her own web sites. Dorothy also writes for Caregiving Today, and her articles are posted at this site as well in Alzheimer's Articles. A busy lady on the Internet, Dorothy also has led various online support groups in the form of discussion lists and chats, helping caregivers and former caregivers to develop spiritually as well as to learn more about Alzheimer's and caregiving. In memory of my mother, and of Dorothy's, I am proud to present Dorothy Womack with this award.

Brenda cared for her mother at home until she entered a nursing home in December 1998. She was still with her every chance she got until her mother died about a year later in December 1999. Brenda's site, Poems, Prayers, and Promises, is unique in that it gives a positive look at the nursing home experience, through her poetry and photos. Brenda has collected her thoughts, memories, photos, and poems from all stages in her journey with her mother and Alzheimer's, and she has illustrated them all so wonderfully with beautiful backgrounds and graphics. She also has included some poems that Dorothy Womack wrote for her during her times of grief after her mother's entrance into the nursing home and as the disease progressed, taking more and more of her mother from her. It's a wonderful site, full of beautiful poetry, wonderful photos and graphics, and tremendous spiritual insight. On this Mother's Day, in memory of my mother and of Brenda's, I am proud to present Brenda Race with the 2001 Jessie L. Parris Memorial Award.